Blog Post

Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation announced today Doug Allen, vice president of mountain operations, will retire from his position at the resort at the end of the 2016/17 season, after 31 years with the company.

“There are few leaders in the ski industry who have had the impact of Doug Allen,” said Rob Perlman, president and chief operating officer of Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation. “From his early days in Copper to his lasting legacy in Steamboat, Doug has helped shape the way skiers and snowboarders utilize the mountain and boosted Steamboat to a world-class, year-round vacation destination.”

Allen began his career in the ski industry as a lift operator at Copper Mountain in 1974. During his 12-year tenure with the company, he filled numerous positions in lifts and maintenance, learning the ins and outs of mountain operations. In 1986, Allen moved to the Yampa Valley, taking a lift manager position with Steamboat Ski Resort, a position he held until 1990 when he became the director of mountain operations. Doug was promoted to vice president of mountain operations for Steamboat Ski Resort in 2003, where he oversaw the Lift Operations, Lift Maintenance, Slope Maintenance, Snowmaking and Ski Patrol departments.

He was an instrumental part of many developments at the resort, including helping shape the last four Master Development Plans, revitalizing Steamboat’s base area and introducing night skiing and riding.

“After 30 years of reporting for duty at Steamboat Ski Resort, I made the decision this summer that this will be my last season heading the mountain operations department,” Allen said. “The resort has become my second home, and I will miss the people I shared my days with, but I know the team will continue to lead Steamboat in the right direction for future success. I cannot tell you how rewarding it has been to serve the resort and this great community for the past three decades.”

Allen’s dedication to the industry goes well beyond Steamboat Ski Resort, serving on numerous state and nationwide organizations aimed at improving mountain operations at year-round resorts. Allen was appointed by the governor to the Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board from 1990 to 1998, holding the chairman position for the last three years of his term and served as ski area representative on the board’s Technical Committee. The safety board regulates aerial tramways, surface lifts and tows used for recreational purposes in Colorado. For the past 25 years, he served as a ski area representative on the ANSI B77 Committee that writes and maintains the National Standard for Aerial Ropeways including aerial tramways, gondolas and ski lifts. Also a member of the Colorado Ski Country, USA Operations Committee and the National Ski Areas Association Public Lands Committee, Allen has worked to shape public policy related to ski area operations.

During his career, Allen was honored numerous times with industry and local awards, most recently including the inaugural Jan W. Leonard Award for exceptional contribution to the ANSI B77 Standards Committee as well as the Bob LeSage Award for contribution and unselfish devotion to the ski lift industry by the Rocky Mountain Lift Association (RMLA) in 2014. In addition to industry dedication, Allen was an active supporter of the Steamboat Springs community with his involvement in organizations including Ski Town, U.S.A® Morning Rotary Club, where he served as president in 2013-14.

“We are honored to have Doug for one more winter season and will spend the time soaking in as much of his knowledge as possible,” Perlman said. “His impact on daily mountain operations will certainly be missed in seasons to come.”

Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation will commence a search for Allen’s replacement in the coming weeks.

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